Instrumentation endoscope apparatus

ABSTRACT

The instrumentation endoscope apparatus mainly includes an image pick-up device, an endoscope insertion portion to which a plurality of stereo instrumentation optical adaptors and a normal instrumentation adaptor are detachable, a control unit for accommodating the endoscope insertion portion, a face mounted display for stereoscopically viewing a normal endoscope image or stereoscopically viewing the endoscope image as a pseudo stereo image, and the like. The control unit includes a CPU for controlling the execution of various functions based on a main program, a ROM, a RAM, a PC card I1F, a USB I/F, an RS-232CI/F, an audio signal processing circuit, and a video signal processing circuit. The control unit can be connected externally to a PC. By re-instrumentation under a correct instrumentation environment with simple operation, the re-instrumentation can promptly be performed without consideration of the instrumentation environment and the operability can be improved.

[0001] This application claims benefit of Japanese Applications No. 2001-264847 filed in Japan on Aug. 31, 2001 and 2001-264849 filed in Japan on Aug. 31, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an instrumentation endoscope apparatus for forming two images of a subject via a pair of objective lenses at different positions on an image pick-up device provided for an endoscope main body and performing the instrumentation by image processing using the obtained endoscope images, and an instrumentation processing method (instrumentation software) for handling an instrumentation image recorded by the above-mentioned instrumentation endoscope apparatus on a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC).

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In general, the detailed examination of a subject using an endoscope requires the instrumentation of the subject. To satisfy this requirement, conventionally, various instrumentation means for instrumentation of the subject using the endoscope is proposed and disclosed.

[0006] For example, a proposal disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 6063023 shows an instrumentation endoscope apparatus for stereo instrumentation. Further, a proposal disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-275934 by the applicant of the present invention shows an instrumentation endoscope apparatus which automatically selects and executes instrumentation methods varied depending on the type of optical adaptor, depending on the type of optical adaptor.

[0007] In the instrumentation endoscope apparatus disclosed in the former U.S. Patent Publication No. 6063023, an optical adaptor having two optical systems necessary for image pickup and instrumentation of a subject in an endoscope main body. Images through two lens systems in the optical adaptor are formed on a single image pick-up device. The instrumentation is performed by image processing using at least the obtained endoscope images. The instrumentation endoscope apparatus comprises instrumentation processing means for executing: processing for reading information from a recording medium on which the optical data from the optical adaptor is recorded; processing for correcting the optical data based on the position error of an image pick-up system of the endoscope main body; processing for coordinate-transforming the image for instrumentation based on the corrected optical data; and processing for obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate at an arbitrary point by matching the two images based on the two coordinate-transformed images.

[0008] In the instrumentation endoscope apparatus having the above-mentioned structure, the three-dimensional coordinate is obtained at the arbitrary point on the subject by matching the two images based on two pieces of image information which are obtained by coordinate-transforming two images of the subject, that is, captured by the image pick-up device via the optical adaptor. Consequently, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus can be realized with low price and excellent instrumentation accuracy.

[0009] On the other hand, as disclosed in the latter Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-275934, there is provided the instrumentation endoscope apparatus comprising a connecting portion provided for an endoscope tip portion, and a plurality of types of optical adaptor detachable to the connecting portion, for forming a subject image to an image pick-up device, which performs the instrumentation by connecting one type of optical adaptor and imaging an image signal obtained by the image pick-up device, wherein instrumentation endoscope apparatus further comprises instrumentation processing means that performs menu display processing for selection based on display data previously associated with the plurality of optical adaptors and performs instrumentation processing based on the selected result in the menu display processing.

[0010] In the instrumentation endoscope apparatuses having the above-mentioned structure, the optical adaptor is selected on the menu, thereby automatically selecting an instrumentation method corresponding to the selected optical adaptor. The instrumentation processing can be executed corresponding to the selected instrumentation method only by pressing an instrumentation executing switch provided for an endoscope operating portion, in the case of executing the instrumentation.

[0011] In an embodiment disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-275934, images of the plurality of optical adaptors are subjected to calibration. The resultant images are stored in a compact flash memory card (as a trademark of a flash memory card) as an external storage medium, as data on an instrumentation environment. By selecting the proper optical adaptor used on the menu, the data on the instrumentation environment is used corresponding to the selected optical adaptor.

[0012] In general, characteristics of a photographing state of the instrumentation image are varied depending on the type of a camera control unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CCU) for converting signals outputted from a video endoscope main body, an optical adaptor for instrumentation having an objective lens and a video endoscope into TV signals or the type of recording mediums for converting the TV signal into a digital signal and recording it, or the difference of devices. Therefore, the accurate instrumentation can be performed by various correction so that the instrumentation endoscope apparatus is set to match the combination of the devices upon photographing the instrumentation image. That is, the instrumentation setting is necessary.

[0013] Thus, it is important in the apparatus or system for instrumentation to form data necessary for correcting the instrumentation image before processing for actually calculating an instrumentation value and this processing has characteristics depending on the device for recording the image. Since the above processing for instrumentation is performed in the device for recording the image, the instrumentation can conventionally be executed only in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus upon performing the instrumentation of the temporarily recorded image again. Alternatively, the instrumentation of the image recorded by one device can be performed on another device. However, the instrumentation can be performed again only on the instrumentation endoscope apparatus.

[0014] Recently, re-instrumentation is increasingly performed by using the instrumentation image recorded by the combination of various devices (under the instrumentation environments) in accordance with the increase in type of endoscope main bodies, optical adaptors, and CCUs to match the application of various instrumentation.

[0015] However, since the conventional apparatuses has no means for recording data indicating under which environment the image is photographed in the instrumentation images, there is a danger that upon re-instrumentation using the same image for a while, the instrumentation environment cannot be set again or the instrumentation environment is set by erroneous connection of the devices for purpose of re-instrumentation because an operator forgets the instrumentation environment upon photographing the image.

[0016] The data on the instrumentation environment set to the conventional apparatuses is limited to data on an arbitrary instrumentation environment and, therefore, when the re-instrumentation is performed by the image that is not suitable to the data on the instrumentation environment in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus such as an instrumentation image using the different type of optical adaptor, all the devices must be connected to the apparatus before actual re-instrumentation and the instrumentation environment must manually be performed again. Thus, the operation for re-instrumentation is excessively complicated and troublesome.

[0017] Further, when the above-mentioned apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-275934 includes a function for recording the photographed image to a detachable recording medium such as a floppy disk (that is, a trademark of a flexible magnetic storage disk) or a function for capturing the image recorded on the recording medium to another instrumentation endoscope apparatus, it is necessary to set the endoscope, optical adaptor, or CCU which is actually used upon photographing the instrumentation image to actually be connected to an instrumentation endoscope apparatus to be used for re-instrumentation on the instrumentation endoscope apparatus different from the instrumentation endoscope apparatus used for the actual image photographing.

[0018] Not only the recorded image is captured or displayed on the PC but also much PC software which can easily perform this operation is sold.

[0019] Accordingly, various instrumentation images can generally be managed on the above-mentioned PC software. However, since neither means nor processing for setting the instrumentation environment on the PC exists, the re-instrumentation of the instrumentation image captured to the PC cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide an instrumentation endoscope apparatus which is capable of preventing the instrumentation under an erroneous instrumentation environment upon re-instrumentation using a recorded instrumentation image, and of promptly performing re-instrumentation without considering the instrumentation environment and improving the operability in this case by performing the re-instrumentation with simple operation under the correct instrumentation environment.

[0021] Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide an instrumentation processing method (instrumentation software) which is capable of improving the operating efficiency of examination by re-instrumentation of the instrumentation image recorded by the instrumentation endoscope apparatus on a PC, or an instrumentation processing method which is capable of preventing the instrumentation under an erroneous instrumentation environment upon using the PC which requires the setting the instrumentation environment suitable to images recorded under various instrumentation environments, and of promptly performing re-instrumentation without considering the instrumentation environment and improving the operability in this case by performing the re-instrumentation with simple operation under the correct instrumentation environment.

[0022] An instrumentation endoscope apparatus of the present invention comprises: a connecting portion provided for an endoscope tip portion; an optical adaptor detachable to the connecting portion, for coupling a subject image to image pick-up means; a signal processing unit for processing an image signal from the image pick-up means; recording means for recording an image processed by the signal processing unit; and instrumentation means for performing instrumentation based on the image. The instrumentation endoscope apparatus further comprises: instrumentation environment data recording means for recording first data on an instrumentation environment as a pair of the image recorded by the recording means; comparing means for comparing the first data on the instrumentation environment with second data on the instrumentation environment which has already been recorded to the apparatus; and selecting means for selecting the first data on the instrumentation environment or the second data on the instrumentation environment in accordance with information from the comparing means.

[0023] An instrumentation processing method of a PC for capturing (copying) an instrumentation image recorded by an instrumentation environment apparatus comprising: a connecting portion provided for an endoscope tip portion; an optical adaptors detachable to the connecting portion having an objective lens, for coupling two images to image pick-up means; processing for instrumentation of an image signal from the image pick-up means by imaging processing by connecting the optical adaptor; means for recording to an instrumentation image, calibration data including optical characteristics of the optical adaptor or the like, as information necessary for setting the instrumentation environment; and means for copying the instrumentation image recorded in the apparatus to a detachable recording medium together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data, comprises: a step of determining whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment matches the current setting of the instrumentation environment by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of automatically setting the instrumentation environment by using the calibration data which is recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of informing a fact that neither the information on the instrumentation environment nor the calibration data is recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of managing a plurality of types of the calibration data taken out from the image in the personal computer; a step of searching the same information on the instrumentation environment from the calibration data which has already been managed in the PC by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment which is recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of automatically forming the data on the instrumentation environment which is used upon correcting the deformation of the instrumentation image by using the calibration data as the search result; a step of forming the data on the instrumentation environment by using the data selected from pieces of the calibration data; a step of coordinate-transforming the instrumentation image by using the data on the instrumentation environment; a step of obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate at an arbitrary point by matching two images based the two coordinate-transformed images; and a step of calculating an instrumentation value such as a desired length from the three-dimensional coordinate.

[0024] Other features and benefits of the present invention will be obvious by the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the system structure of an instrumentation endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of circuitries of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus in FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a remote controller in FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of an endoscope tip portion of an endoscope insertion portion in FIG. 1 to which a stereo instrumentation adaptor is attached;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a V-V cut-line in FIG. 4;

[0030]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an endoscope image when attaching the stereo instrumentation adaptor in FIG. 4;

[0031]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mask-shaped image of the stereo instrumentation adaptor in FIG. 4;

[0032]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between an original image and a corrected image for explaining the setting of an instrumentation environment in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus in FIG. 1;

[0033]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a selecting screen of an optical adaptor displayed on an LCD in FIG. 1;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of the endoscope tip portion of the endoscope insertion portion in FIG. 1 to which a normal optical adaptor is attached;

[0035]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a XI-XI cut line in FIG. 10;

[0036]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an endoscope image when attaching the normal optical adaptor in FIG. 10;

[0037]FIG. 13 is a first flowchart showing an example of control operation by a CPU in FIG. 2 as a feature;

[0038]FIG. 14A is one part of a second flowchart showing the example of the control operation by the CPU in FIG. 2 as a feature;

[0039]FIG. 14B is another part of the second flowchart showing the example of the control operation by the CPU in FIG. 2 as the feature;

[0040]FIG. 15A is one part of a flowchart showing an example of control operation by a CPU, as a feature, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 15B is another part of the flowchart showing the example of the control operation by the CPU, as a feature, according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 16A is one part of a flowchart showing an example of control operation by a CPU, as a feature, according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 16B is another part of the flowchart showing the example of the control operation by the CPU, as a feature, according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0044]FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an instrumentation screen on which a frame of an instrumentation field of view area is overlapped and displayed on a subject image;

[0045]FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an instrumentation screen on which instrumentation left and right field of view areas are cut out and displayed;

[0046]FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example of a thumbnail screen according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display example of an instrumentation screen of a stereo optical adaptor according to the fourth embodiment;

[0048]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display example of the instrumentation screen of a normal optical adaptor according to the fourth embodiment;

[0049]FIG. 22A is one part of a first flowchart showing an example of control operation of instrumentation software as a feature according to the fourth embodiment;

[0050]FIG. 22B is another part of the first flowchart showing the example of the control operation of the instrumentation software as the feature according to the fourth embodiment;

[0051]FIG. 23A is one part of a second flowchart showing an example of control operation of instrumentation software as a feature according to the fourth embodiment; and

[0052]FIG. 23B is another part of the second flowchart showing the example of the control operation of the instrumentation software as the feature according to the fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Hereinbelow, a description is given of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0054] FIGS. 1 to 14 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the system structure of an instrumentation endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of circuitries of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a remote controller in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of an endoscope tip portion of an endoscope insertion portion in FIG. 1 to which a stereo instrumentation adaptor is attached, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a V-V cut-line in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an endoscope image when attaching the stereo instrumentation adaptor in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mask-shaped image of the stereo instrumentation adaptor in FIG. 4, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between an original image and a corrected image for explaining the setting of an instrumentation environment in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus in FIG. 1, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a selecting screen of an optical adaptor displayed on an LCD in FIG. 1, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of an endoscope tip portion of the endoscope insertion portion in FIG. 1 to which a normal optical adaptor is attached, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a XI-XI cut line in FIG. 10, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an endoscope image when attaching the normal optical adaptor in FIG. 10, FIGS. 13A and 13B are a first flowchart showing an example of control operation by a CPU in FIG. 2 as a feature, and FIGS. 14A and 14B are a second flowchart showing the example of the control operation by the CPU in FIG. 2 as a feature.

[0055] The system structure of an instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 will be described according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 comprises an endoscope insertion portion 11 which incorporates an image pick-up device and to which a plurality of optical adaptors for stereo instrumentation and an optical adaptor for normal instrumentation are detachably attached, a control unit 12 for accommodating the endoscope insertion portion 11, a remote controller 13 for performing operation necessary for execution of various control operation of the entire system of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10, a liquid crystal monitor (hereinafter, referred to as an LCD) 14 for displaying the endoscope image or the contents of the control operation (for example, a processing menu), a face mounted display (hereinafter, referred to as an FMD) 17 for stereoscopically viewing the normal endoscope image or an pseudo stereo image, and an FMD adaptor 18 for supplying image data to the FMD 17.

[0056] Further, the system structure of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the endoscope insertion portion 11 is connected to an endoscope unit 24. The endoscope unit 24 is arranged in, for example, the control unit 12 shown in FIG. 1. Further, the endoscope unit 24 comprises a light source device for obtaining illumination light necessary for photographing and an electric bending device for electrically bending the endoscope insertion portion 11 freely (which are not shown).

[0057] An image pick-up signal from a solid image pick-up device 43 (refer to FIG. 5) at the endoscope tip portion insertion portion 11 is inputted to a camera control unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CCU) 25. The CCU 25 converts the supplied image pick-up signal into a video signal such as an NTSC signal, and supplies the converted signal to main processing circuits in the control unit 12.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 2, the main circuits provided in the control unit 12 include a CPU 26 for controlling the execution and operation of various functions based on a main program, a ROM 27, a RAM 28, a PC card interface (hereinafter, referred to as a PC card I/F) 30, a USB interface (hereinafter, referred to as a USB I/F) 31, an RS-232C interface (hereinafter, referred to as an RS-232C I/F) 29, an audio signal processing circuit 32, and a video signal processing circuit 33.

[0059] The RS-232C I/F 29 is connected to the CCU 25, the endoscope unit 24, and the remote controller 13. The remote controller 13 controls and instructs the operation of the CCU 25 and the endoscope unit 24. The RS-232C I/F 29 performs the communication necessary for controlling the operation of the CCU 25 and the endoscope unit 24 based on the operation of the remote controller 13.

[0060] The USB I/F 21 is an interface for electrically connecting the control unit 12 and a PC 21. When the control unit 12 and the personal computer 21 are connected via the USB I/F 21, various control operations by instructions such as that for displaying the endoscope image and that for image processing upon instrumentation by the control unit 12 can be implemented via the PC 21. Further, control information and data necessary for various processing can be received and transmitted between the control unit 12 and the PC 21.

[0061] A PCMCIA memory card 22 and a compact flash (trade mark) memory card 23 as a flash memory card can detachably and freely be connected to the PC card I/F 30. That is, when any of the above memory cards is attached, the control unit 12 can read data on control processing information or image information which is stored in the memory card as a recording medium and capture the read data in the control unit 12 via the PC card I/F 30, or can supply and record the data on the image information or on the control processing information to the memory card via the PC card I/F 30, under the control of the CPU 26.

[0062] The video signal processing circuit 33 combines a video signal from the CCU 25 and a display signal based on an operation menu, generated under the control of the CPU 26 so as to display a combined image obtained by combining the endoscope image supplied from the CCU 25 and the operation menu graphically displayed. Further, the video signal processing circuit 33 supplies a video signal subjected to processing necessary for displaying the data on the LCD 14 thereto. Thus, the combined image of the endoscope image and the operation menu is displayed on the LCD 14. Incidentally, the video signal processing circuit 33 can perform processing for singly displaying an image of the endoscope image or the operation menu.

[0063] An audio signal which is collected and generated by a microphone 20 and is recorded to the recording medium such as the memory card, or an audio signal which is obtained by reading a signal on the recording medium such as the memory card, is supplied to the audio signal processing circuit 32. The audio signal processing circuit 32 subjects the supplied audio signal to processing necessary for playing the supplied signal (amplification), and outputs the audio signal to a speaker 19. As a consequence, the audio signal is played by the speaker 19.

[0064] The CPU 26 executes a program stored in the ROM 27, and performs the control operation of the entire system by various circuit units so as to execute processing corresponding to each purpose.

[0065] Next, a description is given of the structure of the remote controller 13 and the example of the control operation of a program of the CPU 26 based on the operation of the remote controller 13 with reference to FIG. 3.

[0066] The remote controller 13 used for the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is improved for upgrading the operability upon instrumentation.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 3, the remote controller 13 comprises a joy stick 47, a lever switch 48, a freeze switch 49, a store switch 50, and an instrumentation executing switch 51, which are provided together for at least an upper surface of a casing. That is, the structure of the remote controller 13 is easily operated for a user.

[0068] In the remote controller 13, the joy stick 47 is a switch for bending operation of the endoscope tip portion, and can freely instruct the operation in any direction with an angle of 360°. The lever switch 48 is a switch for moving a pointer when various menu operation graphically displayed or performing the instrumentation, and is formed with an almost similar shape of the joy stick 47. The freeze switch 49 is a switch which is used when displaying a moving picture of the endoscope displayed on the LCD 14 as a still image. The store switch 50 is a switch which is used when recording the still image to the PCMCIA memory card 22 (refer to FIG. 2), in the case of displaying the still image by pressing the freeze switch 49. The instrumentation executing switch 51 is a switch which is used when instrumentation software is executed.

[0069] Incidentally, the freeze switch 49, the store switch 50, and the instrumentation executing switch 51 are on/off type pressing switches. A function other than the above-mentioned functions can be allocated to the lever switch 48.

[0070] For example, an image zoom up function is executed by laying the lever switch 48 to the right and an image zoom down function is executed by laying the lever switch 48 to the left. These functions may be allocated to the lever switch 48. In general, upon instrumentation using a zoom image, the image cannot correctly be measured because a zoom ratio of the image is changed. In this case, the CPU 26 receives an operation signal by pressing the instrumentation executing switch 51 and the control operation is performed so that the instrumentation is executed after the zoom function is promptly canceled and the image is freezed. As a method excluding these ones, the control operation may be performed so that the image can be measured without modification in consideration of the zoom ratio.

[0071] Next, a description is given of the structure of the stereo adaptor used for the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0072]FIGS. 4 and 5 show a state in which a stereo instrumentation adaptor 37 is attached to the endoscope tip portion 39. The stereo instrumentation adaptor 37 is fixed by being spiraled to a male screw 54 of the endoscope tip portion 39 by using a female screw 53 of a fixing ring 38.

[0073] A pair of illumination lenses 36 and two objective lens systems 34 and 35 are mounted on the tip of the stereo optical adaptor 37. The two objective lenses 34 and 35 form two images on the image pick-up device 43 arranged in the endoscope tip portion 39. An image pick-up signal obtained by the image pick-up device 43 is supplied to the CCU 25 via an electrically connected signal line 43 a and the endoscope unit 24. The CCU 25 converts the supplied signal into a video signal and thereafter supplies the resultant signal to the video signal processing circuit 33. Thus, for example, an image as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 14.

[0074] According to the first embodiment, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 executes the stereo instrumentation of a subject as an instrumentation target based on optical data from the recording medium (such as the compact flash memory card), on which the optical data from the stereo optical adaptor 37 is recorded, by using an endoscope image in which a white subject is photographed as shown in FIG. 7.

[0075] According to the first embodiment, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 sets the instrumentation environment before actual stereo instrumentation and a standby mode for instrumentation needs to be prepared. Therefore, before describing the operation for actual instrumentation, the setting of the instrumentation environment will be described.

[0076] As disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 6063023, the stereo instrumentation adaptor has varied optical characteristics depending the individual, even if the type of adaptors is the same. Therefore, optical data is measured in a producing step. The optical data includes the following information.

[0077] (A) Geometric-deformation correction formula of two optical systems

[0078] (B) Focusing distance of two lens systems

[0079] (C) Distance between optical axes of two lenses and position coordinates of the optical axes

[0080] (D) Positional information of attachment of the combination of the endoscope used for data measurement and the optical adaptor.

[0081] The above positional information (D) is information indicating position coordinate and an inclination angle of two areas in the field of view which are obtained from the endoscope image in which the white subject (such as a white sheet) is photographed by the combination of the endoscope used for data measurement and the optical adaptor as shown in FIG. 7.

[0082] The stereo instrumentation adaptor after capturing the optical data is attached to the endoscope insertion portion. In the endoscope apparatus 10, the following processing is performed and the instrumentation environment is set. That is, it is as follows.

[0083] 1) The recording medium to which the optical data of the stereo instrumentation adaptor is recorded is attached and the data is read.

[0084] 2) The optical adaptor is attached to the endoscope insertion portion 11 which is actually used, the white subject is photographed as shown in FIG. 7, and the positional information of the attachment is obtained. Herein the obtained positional information indicates the same contents as those of positional information included in the optical data.

[0085] 3) The positional information in the optical data is compared with the positional information obtained in 2). The information in (A) and (C) is corrected to data suitable to the endoscope which is actually used, among the optical data recorded to the recording medium. Specifically, the rotation correction for coordinate is performed.

[0086] 4) In some cases, characteristics of the CCU or video capturing circuit used for the data measurement in the producing step are different from characteristics of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus which is used for actual instrumentation, and the zoom ratio of the image is varied depending on the type of apparatuses. In these cases, the difference of the characteristics is previously examined and the optical data recorded to the recording medium is corrected so as to match the zoom ratio.

[0087] 5) The optical data obtained by the above process after correction is set to calibration data which is used for the setting of the instrumentation environment.

[0088] 6) A transform table for geometric deformation correction in the present endoscope apparatus is formed by using the calibration data.

[0089] 7) An inverse transform table for obtaining coordinates on the original image before correction to the coordinates on the corrected image is formed.

[0090] 8) The calibration data shown in 5), the transform table obtained in 6), the inverse transform table obtained in 7), and information on the instrumentation environment indicating the type of apparatus are set as data on the instrumentation environment in a lump. The data on the instrumentation environment is recorded to, for example, the compact flash memory card 23 for storing the data in the apparatus.

[0091] The above processes relate to the setting of the instrumentation environment.

[0092] Next, a description is given of the rotation correction shown in 3) by using calculating formulae.

[0093] It is assumed that the geometric deformation correction formula before rotation correction has the following relations.

x′=fx(x, y), y′=fy(x, y)  (1)

[0094] Herein, (x′, y′) is coordinate after the geometric deformation correction,

[0095] (x, y) is arbitrary coordinate on the image before the geometric deformation correction (coordinate on the original image),

[0096] fx(x, y) is a function for transforming the coordinate (x, y) on the original image before the geometric deformation correction to the x coordinate after correction, and

[0097] fy(x, y) is a function for transforming the coordinate (x, y) on the original image before the geometric deformation correction to the y coordinate after correction.

[0098] When the positional information in the optical data before correction is compared with the positional information on the actually used endoscope, it is assumed that reference symbol A denotes a rotation matrix indicating the difference between both the positional information. Then, the geometric deformation correction formula after correction is as follows.

(x″, y″)=A·(x′, y′)+(a, b)  (2)

[0099] Herein, (x″, y″) is coordinate after the geometric deformation correction, including the rotation correction (coordinate on the corrected image),

[0100] (x′, y′) is coordinate after the geometric deformation correction, and

[0101] (a, b) is the amount of positional shift in the x direction and in the y direction.

[0102] When the matrix is developed by substituting the formula (1) for the formula (2), the following relationships are obtained. The relationships are shown in FIG. 8.

x″=fx′(x, y), y″=fy′(x, y)  (3)

[0103] Herein, (x″, y″) is coordinate after the geometric deformation correction including the rotation correction (coordinate on the corrected image),

[0104] (x, y) is arbitrary coordinate on the image before the geometric deformation correction and the rotation correction (coordinate on the original image),

[0105] fx′(x, y) is a function for obtaining the x coordinate on the corrected image by performing the geometric deformation correction and the rotation correction of the coordinate (x, y) on the original image, and

[0106] fy′(x, y) is a function for obtaining the y coordinate on the corrected image by performing the geometric deformation correction and the rotation correction of the coordinate (x, y) on the original image.

[0107] The position coordinate of the optical axis can be expressed by the above-mentioned relationships by using the rotation matrix A and the amount of positional shift (a, b).

[0108] When the transform table is formed, the inverse transform is simultaneously obtained in the above 7).

[0109] That is, when transforming the coordinate on the original image into the coordinate on the corrected image by using the formula (3), the coordinate (x, y) on the original image is stored at a portion corresponding to the coordinate (x″, y″) in the inverse transform table including the coordinates having a one-to-one corresponding relationship to the coordinates on the corrected image.

[0110] Herein, the coordinate transformed by the formula (3) is normally obtained as a real number. Therefore, the value needs to be an integer so as to match the inverse transform table.

[0111] Since the coordinate on the original image is transformed to the coordinate on the corrected image by the transform formula, the value on the original image is not included directly in the inverse transform table. In this case, by interpolating the above value with an adjacent point, the coordinates on the original image can appropriately be included at all positions in the inverse transform table.

[0112] When the inverse transform formula of the transform formula (1) is previously determined and when the inverse transform formula is obtained by the formula transform based on the transform formula (1), the inverse transform table may be obtained directly by using the inverse transform formula.

[0113] An inverse matrix of the rotation matrix used in the formula (2) is expressed by A⁻¹, and a formula for returning the coordinate on the corrected image to the coordinate before positional shift correction is as follows.

(x′, y′)=A ⁻¹·(x″, y″)·(a, b)  (4)

[0114] Herein, (x′, y′) is coordinate before correcting the positional shift, in which only the geometric deformation is corrected,

[0115] (x″, y″) is coordinate after correcting geometric deformation, including the rotation correction, coordinate on the corrected image and

[0116] (a, b) is the mount of positional shift in the x direction and in the y direction.

[0117] Thus, if defining the inverse transform formula for correcting the geometric deformation upon measuring the optical characteristics as functions gx and gy, the following relational formulae are established.

x=gx(x″, y″), y=gy(x′, y′)  (5)

[0118] Herein, (x, y) is coordinate before correcting the geometric deformation (coordinate on the original image),

[0119] (x′, y′) is coordinate before correcting the positional shift, in which only the geometric deformation is corrected,

[0120] gx(x′, y′) is an inverse transform function for obtaining the x coordinate before correction in the geometric deformation correction, and

[0121] gy(x′, y′) is an inverse transform function for obtaining the y coordinate before correction in the geometric deformation correction.

[0122] By developing the matrix of the formula (4) and substituting it for the formula (5), a transform formula for transforming the coordinate on the corrected image into the original image is expressed as follows. This relationship is shown in FIG. 8.

x=gx′(x″, y″), y=gy′(x″, y″)  (6)

[0123] Herein, (x, y) is arbitrary coordinate (coordinate on the original image) on the image before the geometric deformation correction or the rotation correction,

[0124] (x″, y″) is coordinate (coordinate on the corrected image) after the geometric deformation correction including the rotation correction,

[0125] gx′(x, y) is a function for obtaining the x coordinate on the original image before the geometric deformation correction and the rotation correction of the coordinate (x″, y″) on the corrected image, and

[0126] gy′(x, y) is a function for obtaining the y coordinate on the original image before the geometric deformation correction and the rotation correction of the coordinate (x″, y″) on the corrected image.

[0127] The information on the instrumentation environment shown by the above 8) is information indicating the type of data on the instrumentation environment (that is, the calibration data and the transform table). Therefore, the following information is included.

[0128] (a) The type of stereo instrumentation adaptor and the individual identification number

[0129] (b) The type of the endoscope insertion portion and the individual identification number

[0130] (c) TV type such as NTSC

[0131] (d) The type of CCU

[0132] (e) The type of video capturing circuit

[0133] Incidentally, since the type of the CCU and the type of the video capturing circuit are provided as modules of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus in many cases, they may be replaced with the type of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus in this case.

[0134] After setting the instrumentation environment as mentioned above, the subject can be photographed and the instrumentation can be executed.

[0135] Thus, the stereo instrumentation of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 is performed by executing: first processing for reading optical information from the recording medium (such as the compact flash memory card), on which the optical data from the stereo optical adaptor 37 is recorded; second processing for obtaining the positional information between the image pick-up device 43 in the endoscope tip portion 39 and the stereo instrumentation adaptor 37; third processing for obtaining a position error based on the above-mentioned positional information and position information between the main endoscope and the stereo optical adaptor 37 obtained upon manufacturing; fourth processing for correcting the optical data based on the position error; fifth processing for forming the transform table for correcting the geometric deformation included in the photographed image; sixth processing for coordinate-transforming the photographed image for instrumentation to form the corrected image by using the transform table; seventh processing for matching two left and right images at an arbitrary point based on the corrected image; eighth processing for obtaining the three-dimensional coordinates from the two left and right coordinates obtained by matching, the position coordinates of the optical axes, and the focusing distances; and ninth processing for obtaining the instrumentation values such as distance between two points and the area based on the three-dimensional coordinates at a plurality of arbitrary points.

[0136] The CPU 26 subjects the stereo optical adaptor 37 to, for example, the first to fifth processing once, and controls the operation so that the processing results are recorded to the compact flash memory card 23 as data on the instrumentation environment. Subsequently, the stereo instrumentation is executed. Then, the CPU 26 loads the date on the instrumentation environment recorded on the compact flash memory card 23 on the RAM, thereby executing the sixth to ninth processing. Since the image is recorded to the detachable memory card, the similar memory card to which the image is recorded is loaded to the present apparatus by using another instrumentation endoscope apparatus. Advantageously, the image recorded by another apparatus can easily be viewed on another apparatus.

[0137] The brightness of the photographed white image shown in FIG. 7 upon the second processing is determined depending on the gain of the CCU 25 and a shutter speed. In general, the gain of the CCU 25 and the shutter speed of the image pickup device 43 are automatically controlled so as to match the best condition. However, when capturing the white image, the gain of the CCU 25 is set to be low and the shutter speed of the image pick-up device 43 is set to be high in many cases and therefore the image is dark and the mask shape of the optical adaptor (in other words, the field of view) cannot clearly be photographed. This gives an adverse influence to the instrumentation accuracy.

[0138] Thus, according to the first embodiment, the gain of the CCU 25 and the shutter speed are fixed under the control of the CPU 26. Accordingly, the clear mask shape can be captured without fail and the decrease in instrumentation precision is prevented.

[0139] The above-mentioned data on the instrumentation environment comprises the calibration data after position correction, the transform table, the inverse transform table, and the information on the instrumentation environment. The data on the instrumentation environment is recorded to the detachable compact flash memory card 23 under the control.

[0140] Further, according to the first embodiment, the image is recorded to the PCMCIA memory card 22 under the control of the CPU 26. That is, it is controlled so that the image is recorded to a memory card different from the compact flash memory card 23 for recording the data on the instrumentation environment. Upon recording the image, the information on the instrumentation environment is simultaneously recorded from the data on the instrumentation environment as a part of the image file, or as another file associated with the image file. Further, the calibration data is recorded as a part of the image file or as another file associated with the image file.

[0141] Upon selecting the recorded image from the list and executing the stereo instrumentation, it is searched whether or not there is the same data on the instrumentation environment as that of the selected image among the data on the instrumentation environment which has already been registered.

[0142] If the same data is registered, the same data on the instrumentation environment is read, the setting of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus is changed, and the sixth processing is performed to enter the instrumentation state. If the same data is not registered, the data on the instrumentation environment is formed by using the calibration data added to the image and sixth processing is performed to enter the instrumentation state. Conveniently, the formed data on the instrumentation environment is registered in the instrumentation environment apparatus. Or, since the non-registration is advantageous to prevent the erroneous selection of the optical adaptor on the selecting screen of the optical adaptor shown in FIG. 9, one of the registration and the non-registration is selected depending on the structure of the instrumentation endoscope system.

[0143] As mentioned above, under the instrumentation environment corresponding to the software loaded in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus, the instrumentation environment can automatically be set for any image. Therefore, the re-instrumentation can easily be performed.

[0144] Further, the information recorded to the image may be not only the calibration data and the information on the instrumentation environment but also the data on the instrumentation environment including the transform table, etc. In this case, the data on the instrumentation environment data included in the image upon selecting the image and executing the instrumentation is directly read and the sixth processing is performed. Thus, the preparation of the instrumentation is completed. However, unpreferably, the data on the instrumentation environment is recorded together with the image and the capacity is large. On the other hand, the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data is several tens Kbytes. Thus, it is exceedingly efficient for the capacity of the image that only the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data are recorded to the image.

[0145] After preparing the instrumentation, for example, when performing the instrumentation of the length of a crack 44 in FIG. 6, an instrumentation point is designated by a broken line to trace the crack 44 on the left of the screen. The CPU 26 searches for a corresponding point on the right of the screen every designation of a new instrumentation point, obtains three-dimensional coordinates at the instrumentation point based on coordinates of the instrumentation point and the corresponding point, calculates a distance between two adjacent points based on the three-dimensional coordinates, calculates the sum of the distances, and displays the entire length of the crack 44 on the LCD 14.

[0146] Next, a description is given of the structure of the normal optical adaptor used for the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0147]FIGS. 10 and 11 show a state in which a normal optical adaptor 42 is mounted on the endoscope tip portion 39. The normal optical adaptor 42 is fixed by being spiraled to the male screw 54 of the endoscope tip portion 39 by using the female screw 53 of the fixing ring 38.

[0148] A pair of an illumination lens 41 and an objective lens 40 are provided for the tip of the normal optical adaptor 42. The objective lens 40 forms an image on the image pick-up device 43 arranged in the endoscope tip portion 39. Similarly to the case of the stereo optical adaptor 37, the obtained image pick-up signal is supplied to the CCU 25 via the signal line 43 a electrically connected and the endoscope unit 24. The CCU 25 converts the resultant signal into a video signal and supplies the converted signal to the video signal processing circuit 33. As a consequence, for example, an image shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the LCD 14.

[0149] According to the first embodiment, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 performs the instrumentation using the normal optical adaptor by utilizing a comparison instrumentation method. Namely, the comparison instrumentation is performed by using a well-known dimension on the screen as a base.

[0150] For example, when a diameter of a circle shown in FIG. 12 is well-known, a pointer is placed at both ends of the diameter of the circle and a length La 45 between the two points is inputted. A length to be known Lb 46 is obtained by a ratio through calculation of the CPU 26 based on the size of the length La on the screen. In this case, distortion correction is executed based on information on distortion characteristics of the lens so as to obtain the dimension more accurately by adjustment. The distortion characteristics of the lens are previously recorded on the ROM 27, and the CPU 26 implements the comparison instrumentation so that data corresponding to the selected normal optical adaptor 42 is loaded to the RAM 2.

[0151] Hereinbelow, a detailed description is given of the control operation by the CPU 26 in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 characterized by the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 13, 14A, and 14B.

[0152] Now, it is assumed that power of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is turned on and is used. After power on, the CPU 26 executes a main program (refer to FIG. 13) and enters a standby mode by a loop containing determination processing in steps S100, S101, S102, S103, and S109. Functions in steps S100, S101, and S102 are instructed and the CPU 26 shifts to processing of the functions. Then, a function in step S103 is instructed and the CPU 26 shifts to step S104.

[0153] In determination processing in step S103, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the optical adaptor attached to the endoscope tip portion 39 is set and whether or not the optical adaptor is attached. If it is determined that the optical adaptor is not set, in processing in step S108, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the processing ends. If it is determined that the processing ends, the processing is completed. If it is determined that the processing does not end, the processing returns to step S100.

[0154] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the optical adaptor is attached to the endoscope tip portion 39 and the attached optical adaptor is set, the CPU 26 shifts to processing to step S104. That is, the CPU 26 enters a standby mode for inputting a function for setting the optical adaptor by shifting to the determination processing in step S104.

[0155] When any optical adaptor is attached to the endoscope tip portion 39, the CPU 26 calls the function for setting the optical adaptor and shifts the processing to step S104 whereupon a signal for displaying the selecting screen of the optical adaptor based on the function for setting the optical adaptor by the processing is generated and the generated signal is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 33 (refer to FIG. 2). Accordingly, the CPU 26 displays the selecting screen of the optical adaptor shown in FIG. 9 on the LCD 14. In other words, the selecting screen of the optical adaptor is a display screen for selecting any of an AT60D/60D or AT60S/60S stereo optical adaptor, and an AT120D or AT60D normal optical adaptor. A user views the selecting screen and selects the currently used optical adaptor by vertically moving a cursor (not shown) displayed on the screen by vertically moving the lever switch 48.

[0156] Thereafter, in determination in step S105, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the user's selected optical adaptor is the normal optical adaptor. If it is determined in step S105 that it is the normal optical adaptor, in processing in step S106, the CPU 26 sets a comparison instrumentation flag to 1 (TRUE), and shifts the processing to step S107. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that it is not the normal optical adaptor, the CPU 26 shifts the processing to step S107.

[0157] In processing in step S107, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the user's selected optical adaptor is the stereo optical adaptor. If it is determined in step S107 that it is the stereo optical adaptor, in processing in step S108, the CPU 26 sets a stereo instrumentation flag to 1 (TRUE). The CPU 26 sets the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 to be in a standby mode for use until the user presses the instrumentation executing switch 51 of the remote controller 13. If it is determined in step S107 that it is not the stereo instrumentation adaptor, similarly, the CPU 26 controls the operation so that the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 is in the standby mode for the use.

[0158] Since the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 is generally in a state in which the subject is photographed (live video image display state), the user presses the instrumentation executing switch 51 of the remote controller 13 and then the CPU 26 controls the video signal processing device 33 so as to display the still image. A routine program for the still image as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B is executed.

[0159] The instrumentation endoscope apparatus can select the image from a list of a plurality of images recorded to the PCMCIA memory card 22 (not shown) by vertically moving the lever switch 48. Thereafter, by pressing the instrumentation executing switch 51 of the remote controller 13, the CPU 26 allows the routine program for the selected image as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B to be executed.

[0160] After the CPU detects the press of the instrumentation executing switch, in determination processing in step S111 in FIG. 14A, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the image is an image recorded to the PCMCIA memory card 22. If the image is the recorded one, the CPU 26 determines in determination processing in step S112 whether or not the image is a stereo instrumentation image.

[0161] If the image is the stereo instrumentation image, in determination processing in step S113, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment is added to the header of the image file. If the information is recorded, in determination processing in step S114, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the same information on the instrumentation environment exists in the data on the instrumentation environment recorded to the compact flash memory card 23. If YES, the data on the instrumentation environment is read and it is controlled so that the stereo instrumentation processing is performed in processing in step S115. After the stereo instrumentation ends, the instrumentation result is displayed or the apparatus 10 is set to enter a standby mode for purpose of the re-instrumentation.

[0162] If the same data on the instrumentation environment does not exist in the determination processing in step S114, in determination processing in step S117, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the calibration data is added to the header of the image file. If the calibration data is added to the image in the determination processing in step S117, in determination processing in step S118, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the calibration data added to the image corresponds to the software for the present instrumentation loaded to the present apparatus 10. If YES in step S118, in processing in step S119, the calibration data is used, the data on the instrumentation environment is formed, and then it is controlled so that the stereo instrumentation processing is performed.

[0163] On the other hand, when the calibration data is not added to the image in the determination processing in step S117, when the calibration data added to the image does not correspond to the present software in the determination processing in step S118, or when the information on the instrumentation environment is not added to the header of the image file in the determination processing in step S113, a fact that the stereo instrumentation is impossible is displayed and the apparatus 10 is set to enter the standby mode so as to select another image.

[0164] If the image selected in the determination processing in step S112 is not the stereo instrumentation image, in determination processing in step S122, it is determined whether or not the image is for comparison instrumentation. If it is determined that the image is for comparison instrumentation, the information for correcting the deformation of the optical adaptor added to the image is read and the comparison instrumentation is executed. If the image is not for comparison instrumentation in the determination processing in step S122, a fact that neither the stereo instrumentation nor the comparison instrumentation can be performed is displayed and the apparatus 10 is set to enter the standby mode so as to select another image.

[0165] Further, when the image for instrumentation is an image which is a still image of a live video display image in the determination processing in step S11 l, if the stereo instrumentation flag is 1 (TRUE) in determination processing in step S126 in FIG. 14B, the data on the instrumentation environment of the stereo instrumentation adaptor selected on the screen shown in step S104 in FIG. 13 is read and the stereo instrumentation is performed.

[0166] When the stereo instrumentation flag is not 1 (TRUE) in the determination processing in step S126 and when the comparison instrumentation flag is 1 in determination processing in step S128, similarly to the above description, the distortion information of the normal optical adaptor selected by the screen shown in step S104 in FIG. 13 is read and the comparison instrumentation is executed.

[0167] When the comparison instrumentation flag is not 1 (TRUE) in the determination processing in step S128, the processing routine returns to step S103 in FIG. 13 and it is controlled so that the setting necessary for executing the instrumentation is confirmed again.

[0168] According to the first embodiment, not only the appropriate instrumentation program can be executed only by the pressing the instrumentation executing switch 51 of the remote controller in the live video display, but also the information necessary for correct instrumentation is read and the appropriate program can be executed in the case of re-instrumentation using the image which has already been recorded only by selecting the image and pressing the instrumentation executing switch 51 of the remote controller. That is, in the case of the re-instrumentation using the recorded image, the instrumentation is not performed by the mismatched data on the instrumentation environment and distortion correct information and the thus-caused instrumentation miss can be prevented.

[0169] Next, a description is given of an instrumentation endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B. FIGS. 15A and 15B are flowcharts showing examples of the control operation by a CPU in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus, as a feature, according to the second embodiment.

[0170] The structure according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that according to the first embodiment. Therefore, only different points are described, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof is omitted.

[0171] According to the second embodiment, when neither the information on the instrumentation environment nor the calibration data is recorded to the image recorded to the recording medium, the program executed according to the first embodiment is improved and an additional function is provided for the program so as to promptly execute the appropriate instrumentation.

[0172] Specifically, the recorded stereo instrumentation image is selected and the instrumentation executing switch is pressed. Then, when the information on the instrumentation environment is not recorded to the header of the image file or a file different from the image file and when the information on the instrumentation environment is recorded to the header of the image file or the file different from the image file but the calibration data is not recorded, the user selects the appropriate data on the instrumentation environment which has already been recorded to the compact flash memory card. Then, the data on the instrumentation environment is read and it is controlled so that the stereo instrumentation is executed.

[0173] Further, when the user determines that the appropriate data on the instrumentation environment which has already been registered does not exist, the user selects the appropriate calibration data which is recorded to another image in the PCMCIA memory card. Then, the data on the instrumentation environment is formed by using the calibration data and the stereo instrumentation is executed.

[0174] In the operation for selecting the calibration data, if the functions of the stereo instrumentation include a function for copying only the calibration data and the information on the instrumentation environment as a part of the data on the instrumentation environment which has already been registered, to a memory card different from the recording medium for recording the image and the data on the instrumentation environment, the memory card is attached to the present apparatus 10 and the appropriate data may be selected from a plurality of pieces of the calibration data recorded to the memory card.

[0175] The present function can easily be applied not only to the stereo instrumentation but also the comparison instrumentation.

[0176] According to the second embodiment, when NG in step S113 or in step S117 in FIG. 14A according to the first embodiment, the processing shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B is operated. That is, when the information on the instrumentation environment is not added to the header to the image file in the determination processing in step S113 or when the calibration data is not added to the header of the image file in the determination processing in step S117, the processing routine advances to step S201 in FIG. 15A.

[0177] In step S201, the user determines whether the instrumentation is performed by using the data on the instrumentation environment which has already been registered, the instrumentation is performed by using the calibration data and setting the instrumentation environment, or this processing ends and the instrumentation is performed by using another image. Then, the processing is performed corresponding to the determination.

[0178] When data is selected from the data on the instrumentation environment in step S201, as shown in step S203, the list of the data on the instrumentation environment which has already been registered is displayed and the user selects the appropriate data.

[0179] In determination processing in step S205, it is determined whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment is added to the image. If the information on the instrumentation environment is added in step S205, in determination processing in step S206, the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment added to the image matches the contents of the selected data on the instrumentation environment in the comparison. If matching, the processing routine advances to step S209. If not matching, an error message is displayed as shown in step S207 and the apparatus enters the standby mode in which the correct data on the instrumentation environment or the correct calibration data is selected again in step S201.

[0180] If the information on the instrumentation environment is not added to the image in the determination processing in step S205, the contents of the selected data are displayed and the user confirms the data again. After that, the processing routine advances to step S209.

[0181] After reading the selected data on the instrumentation environment in step S209, the stereo instrumentation is executed.

[0182] On the other hand, when another calibration data is selected in step S201, the processing routine passes through the determination processing in step S202 and advances to step S212 in FIG. 15B. After attaching the memory card to which the appropriate calibration data is recorded to the apparatus 10, the list of the calibration data is displayed as shown in step S212. After the user selects the appropriate calibration data, in determination processing in step S214, it is determined whether or not the selected calibration data corresponds to the present software. If YES in step S214, the processing routine advances to step S215. If NO in step S214, the error message is displayed as shown in step S216 and the processing routine returns to step S201 in FIG. 15A whereupon the apparatus enters the standby mode so that the correct data on the instrumentation environment or the correct calibration data is selected again.

[0183] In determination processing in step S215, it is determined whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment is added to the image. If the information on the instrumentation environment is added to the image, in step S217, the contents are compared with the contents of the selected calibration data. If both contents match each other, the processing routine advances to step S219. If they do not match, as shown in step SS220, the error message is displayed and, in step S201 in FIG. 15A, the apparatus enters the standby mode so that the correct data on the instrumentation environment or the correct calibration data is selected in step S201 in FIG. 15A.

[0184] When the information on the instrumentation environment is not added to the image in step S215, the contents of the selected data are displayed and the user confirms the contents again. Then, the processing routine advances to step S219.

[0185] The data on the instrumentation environment is formed from the selected calibration data selected in step S219. After that, the stereo instrumentation is executed.

[0186] Step S209 or step S219 is completed and, then, the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data may be recorded to the header of the image file in accordance with the user's desire before executing the stereo instrumentation.

[0187] The capacity of the calibration data is several tens Kbytes and the information on the instrumentation environment is several Kbytes in many cases. Therefore, only the information on the instrumentation environment is to be recorded to the image for purpose of reduction of one image file in some cases.

[0188] When the information on the instrumentation environment and calibration data are recorded to a file different from the image file, it is considered that the file of the information on the instrumentation environment and of the calibration data which are recorded in association with the image might be lost or reduced for some reason.

[0189] Conventionally, the re-instrumentation cannot be performed with the above-mentioned image. Alternatively, the working for setting the instrumentation environment until the actual re-instrumentation is complicated.

[0190] On the contrary, according to the second embodiment, only by selecting the data on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data from the list of the data on the instrumentation environment which has already been registered and the list of the calibration data which is recorded to another memory card, the instrumentation environment can easily be set and the re-instrumentation can promptly be performed.

[0191] Further, it is confirmed whether or not the data selected from the list matches the image. Thus, advantageously, the number of cases in which the instrumentation is performed in the mismatched state is reduced.

[0192] Next, a description is given of an instrumentation endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B.

[0193]FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts showing the control operation by a CPU in an instrumentation endoscope apparatus as a feature according to the third embodiment.

[0194] The third embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, only different points are described and the same reference numerals denote the same components. A description of the same components is omitted.

[0195] According to the third embodiment, the contents of the information positional relationship of the attachment of the optical adaptor included in the calibration data added to the image are compared with the contents of the information on the positional information included in the data on the instrumentation environment which has already been registered. Then, when the difference is larger than a predetermined threshold, processing for instrumentation using the calibration data added to the image is added to the functions according to the first embodiment, including the functions shown in the second embodiment.

[0196] In the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10, the stereo instrumentation image for instrumentation is selected from the list of a plurality of images recorded to the PCMCIA memory card 22 (not shown). The instrumentation executing switch 51 of the remote controller 13 is pressed and the CPU 26 executes the routine program shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B for the selected image.

[0197] Steps S111 to S114 in FIG. 16A are the same as those according to the first embodiment.

[0198] In determination processing in step S114, it is determined whether or not there is the same information on the instrumentation environment added to the image among the data on the instrumentation environment recorded to the compact flash memory card 23. If YES in step S114, in determination processing in step S305, it is determined whether or not the difference between the positional information in the area of the field of view included in the calibration data added to the image and the positional information in the area of the field of view included in the registered data on the instrumentation environment is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

[0199] If the difference is smaller than the threshold in step S305, it is controlled so that the data on the instrumentation environment which matches the image is read and the stereo instrumentation processing is performed. After completing the stereo instrumentation, the instrumentation result is displayed or the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 enters the standby mode for the re-instrumentation.

[0200] If the difference is not smaller than the threshold in step S305, in determination processing in step S308, it is determined whether or not the calibration data added to the image corresponds to the software for the present instrumentation loaded to the present instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10. If YES in step S308, in processing in step S309, it is controlled so that the data on the instrumentation environment is formed by using the calibration data and the stereo instrumentation processing is performed.

[0201] On the other hand, if the calibration data added to the image does not correspond to the present software in the determination processing in step S308, a fact that the stereo instrumentation is impossible is displayed and the instrumentation endoscope apparatus 10 enters the standby mode so as to select another.

[0202] Accordingly, the photographing state of the white image to be photographed to examine the position in the area of the field of view is changed due to some reason even when the information on the instrumentation environment indicating the type of the device used upon photographing image matches. In association therewith, the number of cases in which the instrumentation precision is suppressed due to the change in the information on the positional relationship. Further, the image instrumentation can be performed by using the calibration data which has already been added to the image and by automatically setting the instrumentation environment. Thus, the instrumentation can be prepared easily and promptly with high safety.

[0203] The setting of the instrumentation environment for stereo instrumentation is completed and the corrected image of the still image or the stereo instrumentation image recorded to the recording medium is formed by using the data on the instrumentation environment. Then, the screen for stereo instrumentation is displayed as shown in FIG. 17 and the apparatus enters the standby mode so that the user designates the instrumentation point.

[0204]FIG. 17 shows an example in which various menu buttons 55 for executing the instrumentation functions, a message display column 57 for displaying the message of the operation, and various-value display columns 56 for displaying the instrumentation result (numerical value) are displayed on the original image, excluding the two areas of right and left fields of view.

[0205] Since the instrumentation size and the position in the two areas of the field of view are predetermined by the setting value of the optical adaptor, the size and position which are actually measured can be determined by correcting the optical data formed upon manufacturing in accordance with the attachment to the actually used endoscope.

[0206] In the stereo instrumentation, the subject cannot be measured when the subject is not photographed on the left and right areas in the field of view. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the subject by designating the point in the instrumentation area in the field of view.

[0207] Thus, in the present disclosure, advantageously, the user can easily recognize the point is within the instrumentation range by the following functions, and it is possible to prevent the instrumentation miss due to the designation of the point out of the instrumentation range.

[0208] That is, one of the functions is to display a frame of an instrumentation area in the field of view 58 which is determined as mentioned above, on the instrumentation image as shown in FIG. 17.

[0209] Another function is to change the shape of a cursor depending on whether the cursor position is within the area in the field of view 58 or out of the area 58. Because the point is designated within the instrumentation area (not shown) by horizontally or vertically moving the cursor on the screen by the lever switch of the remote controller. For example, the shape of the cursor is like cross within the area in the field of view 58 or it is like an arrow out of the area in the field of view 58.

[0210] Further, another function is to control the operation only within the area in the field of view 58 to designate the point.

[0211] Furthermore, another function is to display an alarm message when the point is designated out of the area in the field of view 58.

[0212] In addition, another function is to cut off the instrumentation area in the field of view 58 from the image, and to paste and display it on the screen dedicated for the instrumentation.

[0213] The size and position of the instrumentation area in the field of view 58 can be obtained by setting the instrumentation environment. Therefore, when the live video image is displayed after selecting the stereo instrumentation adaptor upon setting the optical adaptor in FIG. 9, the control operation is performed so that the frame is displayed. Then, the size and the position of the instrumentation area in the field of view 58 can become indexes for confirming whether or not the subject is correctly photographed on the left and right sides upon photographing the stereo instrumentation image.

[0214] According to the first to third embodiments of the present invention, when the image which has already been recorded is subjected to the re-instrumentation, the instrumentation using the image which does not correspond to the image for instrumentation is prevented, and the instrumentation can be executed corresponding to the correct optical adaptor by easy operation without the user's consideration of the type of the optical adaptor, irrespective of the current setting status of the apparatus. The operability can be improved upon re-instrumentation and the examining efficiency can be improved.

[0215] Since a large capacity of the recording medium is not necessary to obtain the above-mentioned advantages, the apparatus can be realized by using an inexpensive recording medium.

[0216] Further, since the re-instrumentation is not necessary on the apparatus on which the image is actually photographed, the re-instrumentation can be performed on another apparatus with easy operation by attaching the recording medium, to which the image is recorded, to the other apparatus.

[0217] Thus, the convenience is exceedingly improved and the instrumentation endoscope which executes the instrumentation with high performance can be provided by a relatively inexpensive system.

[0218] That is, in the present invention, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus comprises means for recording the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data together with the instrumentation image, means for selecting the instrumentation image which has already been recorded and executing the instrumentation processing, and means for automatically setting the instrumentation environment using the calibration data recorded to the instrumentation image. Accordingly, only by selecting the instrumentation image which has already been recorded and pressing the instrumentation executing switch, the instrumentation environment is automatically set based on the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data which are added to the instrumentation image and the instrumentation processing can promptly be executed.

[0219] Further, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus comprises means for searching the same information on the instrumentation environment which is recorded to the instrumentation image from the data which has already been managed in the apparatus by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment, and means for automatically changing the setting of the instrumentation environment by using the data as the search result. Thus, when the instrumentation image which has already been recorded is selected and the instrumentation executing switch is pressed, if there is the data on the instrumentation environment as the same instrumentation information as the selected instrumentation image in the apparatus, the instrumentation processing can be executed by using the data on the instrumentation environment which has already existed without forming the data on the instrumentation environment again. The time for preparing the instrumentation can be reduced.

[0220] Furthermore, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus comprises means for copying the instrumentation image recorded in the apparatus together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data to the detachable recording medium, and means for capturing the image copied to the recording medium to the apparatus together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data. Thus, not only the image for instrumentation can be subjected to the re-instrumentation on another instrumentation endoscope apparatus but also the same advantages as those described above can be obtained.

[0221] Alternatively, the above-mentioned instrumentation processing can be performed based on the data on the instrumentation image obtained by the endoscope apparatus on the single instrumentation apparatus as another apparatus or on the single PC.

[0222] If the calibration data is not recorded to the recording medium together with the instrumentation image for reason of a medium capacity for recording the image, in the case of selecting the image and performing the re-instrumentation, it can be searched whether or not the same data on the instrumentation environment exists in the apparatus by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment which is recorded together with the image. If the same data of the instrumentation environment exists in the apparatus, the data is used and the re-instrumentation can promptly be performed.

[0223] Moreover, if the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data are not recorded to the instrumentation image for some reason, means for informing it is provided. Therefore, an instrumentation person can perform the instrumentation working without considering whether or not the instrumentation environment of the selected image is recorded. In this case, the data on the instrumentation environment which has already existed in the apparatus is displayed and the appropriate data on the instrumentation environment is selected, thereby performing the instrumentation.

[0224] Next, a description is given of an instrumentation endoscope apparatus and instrumentation software according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, and FIGS. 19 to 23A and 23B.

[0225]FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example of a thumbnail screen according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display example of an instrumentation screen of a stereo optical adaptor according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display example of the instrumentation screen of a normal optical adaptor according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 22A is one part of a first flowchart showing an example of control operation of instrumentation software as a feature according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 22B is another part of the first flowchart showing the example of the control operation of the instrumentation software as the feature according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 23A is one part of a second flowchart showing the example of the control operation of instrumentation software as a feature according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 23B is another part of the second flowchart showing the example of the control operation of the instrumentation software as the feature according to the fourth embodiment.

[0226] According to the fourth embodiment, the system structure and the circuitry structure of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus are substantially the same as those according to the first embodiment. The fourth embodiment has the system structure and the circuitry structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The stereo instrumentation adaptor used for the instrumentation endoscope apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 according to the first embodiment. Further, the normal optical adaptor used for the instrumentation endoscope apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 according to the first embodiment.

[0227] According to the fourth embodiment, the instrumentation processing control is mainly different from that according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals denote the same components and different points are mainly described hereinbelow.

[0228] According to the fourth embodiment, the stereo instrumentation in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus is performed by executing at least: first processing for reading optical information from the recording medium (such as the compact flash memory card) on which the optical data from the stereo optical adaptor 37 is recorded; second processing for reading the positional information between the image pick-up device 43 in the endoscope tip portion 39 and the stereo optical adaptor 37; third processing for obtaining a position error based on the above-mentioned positional information and main positional information between the endoscope and the stereo optical adaptor 37 obtained upon manufacturing; fourth processing for correcting the optical data based on the position error; fifth processing for coordinate-transforming an image to be subjected to the instrumentation based on the corrected optical data; and sixth processing for obtaining three-dimensional coordinates at an arbitrary point by matching two images based on the coordinate-transformed image.

[0229] The CPU 26 allows the stereo optical adaptor 37 to execute, for example, the first to fourth processing once, and controls the operation so that the processing results are recorded to the compact flash memory card 23 as data on the instrumentation environment. Upon executing the stereo instrumentation after that, the CPU 26 controls the operation for loading the data on the instrumentation environment to the RAM and then for executing the fifth to seventh processing.

[0230] The second processing for reading the positional information between the image pick-up device 43 in the endoscope tip portion 39 and the stereo optical adaptor 37 is performed by capturing the shape of the mask provided for the stereo optical adaptor and comparing the mask shape and the mask position upon manufacturing with the captured mask shape and mask position, as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the mask shape is obtained by capturing a white image (e.g., reflecting a white sheet). The brightness of the white image in this case is determined depending on the gain of the CCU 25 and the shutter speed.

[0231] Ordinarily, the gain of the CCU 25 and the shutter speed of the image pick-up device 43 are automatically controlled so as to match the best condition. However, when capturing the mask shape, the gain of the CCU 25 is set to be low and the shutter speed of the image pick-up device 43 is set to be high and therefore the image is dark and the mask shape cannot clearly be photographed. This gives an adverse influence to the instrumentation accuracy. Thus, according to the fourth embodiment, the gain of the CCU 25 and the shutter speed are fixed under the control of the CPU 26. Accordingly, the mask shape can be captured without fail and the decrease in instrumentation precision is prevented.

[0232] After preparing the instrumentation, for example, when performing the instrumentation of the length of the crack 44 in FIG. 6, the instrumentation point is designated by a broken line to trace the crack 44 on the left image. The CPU 26 searches for a corresponding point on the right image upon every designation of a new instrumentation point, obtains three-dimensional coordinates at the instrumentation point based on coordinates of the instrumentation point and the corresponding point, calculates a distance between two adjacent points based on the three-dimensional coordinates, calculates the sum of the distances, and displays the entire length of the crack 44 on the LCD 14.

[0233] According to the fourth embodiment, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus performs the instrumentation using the normal optical adaptor by utilizing a comparison instrumentation method, similarly to the case according to the first embodiment. Namely, the comparison instrumentation is performed by using a well-known dimension on the screen as a base.

[0234] For example, when a diameter of a circle shown in FIG. 12 is well-known, a pointer is placed at both ends of the diameter of the circle and the length La 45 between the two points is inputted. The length to be known Lb 46 is obtained by a ratio through calculation of the CPU 26 based on the size of the length La on the screen. In this case, distortion correction is executed based on information on distortion characteristics of the lens so as to obtain the dimension more accurately by adjustment. The distortion characteristics of the lens are previously recorded on the ROM 27, and the CPU 26 implements the comparison instrumentation so that data corresponding to the selected normal optical adaptor 42 is loaded to the RAM 2.

[0235] According to the fourth embodiment, in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus, in order to store the setting of a plurality of stereo instrumentation adaptors, it is controlled that the data on the instrumentation environment is recorded to the detachable compact flash memory card 23.

[0236] The data on the instrumentation environment comprises the information on the instrumentation environment, the calibration data, the transform table, and the inverse transform table.

[0237] Since the information on the instrumentation environment includes the type of the data on the instrumentation environment, that is, the type of the calibration data or the type of the transform table, it includes the following information.

[0238] (a) The type of stereo instrumentation adaptor and the individual identification number

[0239] (b) The type of the endoscope insertion portion and the individual identification number

[0240] (c) TV type such as NTSC,

[0241] (d) The type of CCU, and

[0242] (e) The type of video capturing circuit

[0243] Incidentally, since the type of CCU and the type of the video capturing circuit are provided as modules of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus in many cases, they may be replaced with the type of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus in this case.

[0244] Further, the calibration data is obtained by correcting the optical data indicating the optical characteristics measured in the manufacturing step of the stereo instrumentation adaptor to information suitable to the instrumentation endoscope used for actual instrumentation. Therefore, the calibration data further includes the following contents.

[0245] (f) Positional information on the attachment of the combination of the endoscope used for data measurement in the manufacturing step and the optical adaptor, and positional information of the attachment of the combination of the endoscope used for actual instrumentation and the optical adaptor (g) Correction formula in which the correction for the positional shift is performed based on the two pieces of positional information on the attachment, to geometric-deformation correction formula of two optical systems which is obtained by the data measurement in the manufacturing step

[0246] (h) Position coordinate of the optical axes in which the correction for the positional shift is performed based on the two pieces of positional information on the attachment, to position coordinate of the optical axes of the two lenses which is obtained by the data measurement in the manufacturing step

[0247] (i) Distance of the optical axes in the two lens which is obtained by the data measurement in the manufacturing step

[0248] (j) Focusing distance between the two lens systems which is obtained by the data measurement in the manufacturing step

[0249] The transform table included in the data on the instrumentation environment is for the geometric deformation correction for the instrumentation image photographed by the present instrumentation endoscope apparatus by using the calibration data. The corrected image after correcting the deformation can be formed by using the transform table.

[0250] The inverse transform table included in the data on the instrumentation environment is for obtaining coordinates on the original image before correction to the coordinates on the corrected image.

[0251] Further, according to the fourth embodiment, in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus, the photographed image is recorded to the PCMCIA memory card 22 together with the calibration data and the information on the instrumentation environment used for instrumentation under the control operation of the CPU 26.

[0252] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus, the calibration data and the information on the instrumentation environment included in the selected one of a plurality of pieces of the data on the instrumentation environment registered in the present apparatus can be recorded to a detachable memory card different from the PCMCIA memory card 22 for recording the image and from the compact flash memory card for recording the data on the instrumentation environment.

[0253] According to the fourth embodiment, the instrumentation software is recorded to the PCMCIA memory card 22 by the above instrumentation endoscope apparatus, captures the instrumentation image with the calibration data and the information on the instrumentation environment on the PC, sets the same instrumentation environment as that of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus upon photographing the image, and performs the same instrumentation on the PC. The instrumentation software is described hereinbelow.

[0254] According to the fourth embodiment, the software for PC performs the instrumentation by executing: first processing for capturing the image recorded by the above instrumentation endoscope apparatus to the PC and managing the captured image; second processing for selecting one of the managed images and calling the instrumentation function; third processing for managing the calibration data and the information on the instrumentation environment recorded to the recording medium in the PC; fourth processing for associating the calibration data suitable to the instrumentation image; fifth processing for forming the transform table for correcting the geometric deformation included in the image; sixth processing for coordinate-transforming the image photographed for instrumentation by using the transform table and forming the corrected image; seventh processing for matching two left and right images at an arbitrary point based on the corrected image; eighth processing for obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate based on the two left and right coordinates obtained by the matching, the position coordinates of the optical axes, and the focusing distance; and ninth processing for obtaining instrumentation values such as a distance between two points and an area based on the three-dimensional coordinates at a plurality of arbitrary points.

[0255] The memory card to which the instrumentation image is recorded is attached to the PC and the image is selected in the memory card by the present software. Then, in the first processing, the images are copied to a folder in the PC which are managed by the present software. After ending the first processing, a thumbnail 55 as the above-copied image is displayed on a thumbnail screen of the present software as shown in FIG. 19. When recording to the header of the copied image file, a sign indicating the image for stereo instrumentation or the image for comparison instrumentation, a stereo instrumentation icon 56 or a comparison instrumentation icon 57 is displayed on the thumbnail 55 in accordance with the recorded sign.

[0256] The image for instrumentation is selected on the thumbnail screen and an instrumentation executing menu (not shown) is selected from a menu bar 58. Further, an instrumentation executing button 60 is pressed from a tool bar 59, and, alternatively, the stereo instrumentation icon 56 or the comparison instrumentation icon 57 is pressed on the thumbnail. Thus, in the second processing, the instrumentation functions are called. After preparing the instrumentation, the screen becomes a stereo instrumentation screen as shown in FIG. 20 or a comparison instrumentation screen as shown in FIG. 21.

[0257]FIG. 20 shows an example for displaying various menu buttons 61 for executing the various instrumentation functions, a message display column 63 for displaying a message or the like of the operation, a various-value display column 62 for displaying the instrumentation result (numerical value), and two left and right instrumentation areas in the field of view 64 which are cut off from the instrumentation image and are pasted on the instrumentation screen.

[0258]FIG. 21 shows an example for displaying a various menu buttons 61, a message display column 67, a various-value display column 66, and an instrumentation image 68.

[0259] In the instrumentation endoscope apparatus, a plurality of pieces of data on the instrumentation environment are registered. The total capacity of the transform table and the inverse transform table included in the data on the instrumentation environment is, e.g., 12 Mbytes. Therefore, three stereo instrumentation adaptors are registered in the present instrumentation endoscope apparatus and the total capacity is 36 Mbytes (=12 Mbytes×3). In the instrumentation endoscope apparatus, the formation of the data on the instrumentation environment takes a long time under the limitation of the CPU, and various instrumentation is performed by using several types of optical adaptors in many cases. Thus, some pieces of the data on the instrumentation environment are previously formed to be recorded as much as possible within the capacity of the flash ROM or compact flash memory card provided for the instrumentation endoscope apparatus.

[0260] On the contrary, the processing speed of the PCs which have recently been sold is faster than that of the instrumentation endoscope apparatus by several to several tens times. Consequently, the data on the instrumentation environment is formed on the PC and thus the complete formation of the data takes several to several tens seconds. Further, a large number of images are managed on the PC and various types of the data on the instrumentation environment need to be used. Therefore, by forming the data on the instrumentation environment based on the calibration data added to the image upon every selection of the image and execution of the instrumentation, it is sufficient to assure the capacity of one piece of the data on the instrumentation environment.

[0261] Further, the calibration data necessary for formation of the data on the instrumentation environment is excessively small, for example, several tens Kbytes. Therefore, a plurality of pieces of the calibration data can easily be stored in the PC and thus many instrumentation environments can be registered. If the calibration data is not added to the image, the suitable calibration data is selected from the list of the calibration data and, conveniently, the data on the instrumentation environment can be formed and the instrumentation can be performed.

[0262] Herein, a plurality of pieces of the data on the instrumentation environment and calibration data registered in the PC can easily be registered by the two following methods.

[0263] According to a first method, it is searched whether or not there is data on the instrumentation environment which has already been registered of the same instrumentation environment as that of the selected image upon selecting the information on the instrumentation environment and the instrumentation image with the calibration data and performing the instrumentation. When registering no data on the instrumentation environment of the same instrumentation environment as that of the selected image, the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data added to the image are automatically copied and registered in a folder which is managed by the present software.

[0264] According to a second method, in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus, the appropriate data on the instrumentation environment is selected from the data on the instrumentation environment which has been registered, and the detachable recording medium to which the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data have been recorded is previously prepared. Alternatively, the appropriate instrumentation environment which has been registered on the present software is selected and the detachable recording medium to which the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data have been recorded is previously prepared. The above-prepared recording medium is attached to the PC, the appropriate information on the instrumentation environment and calibration data which have been recorded to the present software are selected, and the selected data is copied and registered to the folder managed by the present software.

[0265] As mentioned above, it is possible to easily set the instrumentation environment with any instrumentation image which is recorded by various instrumentation environment apparatuses and to perform the re-instrumentation promptly under the instrumentation environment corresponding to the present software.

[0266] Next, a detailed description is given of the control operation of the software as a feature according to the fourth embodiment with reference to FIGS. 22A, 22B, 23A, and 23B.

[0267] The present software captures the instrumentation image which is recorded by the instrumentation endoscope apparatus. One appropriate thumbnail is selected on the screen in FIG. 19 by the mouse or key operation. A routine program shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B is executed by selecting the instrumentation executing menu in the menu bar 58, pressing the instrumentation executing button 60 from the tool bar 59, and pressing the stereo instrumentation icon 56 or the comparison instrumentation icon 57 on the thumbnail.

[0268] Upon executing the routine shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, in determination processing in step S111, it is determined whether or not the image is recorded by the instrumentation endoscope apparatus by referring to the header of the selected image file. If the image is recorded by the instrumentation endoscope apparatus, in determination processing in step S112, it is determined whether or not the image is the stereo instrumentation image by referring to the header of the image.

[0269] If the image is the stereo instrumentation image, in determination processing in step S113, it is determined whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment is added to the header of the image file. If the information on the instrumentation environment is recorded, in determination processing in step S114, it is determined whether or not the present software corresponds to the calibration data recorded to the image. If the calibration data corresponds to the present software, the processing routine proceeds to processing in step S116. If the calibration data recorded in the image does not correspond to the present software in the determination processing in step S114, a fact that the stereo instrumentation is impossible is displayed and the screen returns to the screen in FIG. 19 so as to select another image.

[0270] In determination processing in step S116, it is determined whether or not there is the same information on the instrumentation environment as that of the image in the data on the instrumentation environment recorded to the instrumentation environment database which has already been registered in the PC. If there is the same information on the instrumentation environment, the processing routine proceeds to step S118. If there is no data on the instrumentation environment in the determination processing in step S116, the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data added to the image are registered in the database and then the processing routine proceeds to step S118.

[0271] In determination processing in step S118, it is determined whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment is the same as that of the data on the instrumentation environment which has already been formed and set. If the information on the instrumentation environment is the same, in determination processing in step S119, it is determined whether or not the difference between the positional information in the area in the field of view included in the calibration data added to the image and the positional information in the area in the field of view included in the current data on the instrumentation environment is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

[0272] If it is determined in the processing in step S119 that the difference is smaller than the threshold, the currently-set data on the instrumentation environment is read and the stereo instrumentation processing is executed in step S121.

[0273] If the information on the instrumentation environment is not the same in the determination processing in step S118 and if the difference is larger than the threshold in the determination processing in step S119, the data on the instrumentation environment is newly formed by using the calibration data added to the header of the image file and the stereo instrumentation processing is executed in step S121.

[0274] The preparation for stereo instrumentation is completed in step S121 and then the apparatus enters the standby mode on the screen in FIG. 20. The instrumentation is performed on the screen and the stereo instrumentation result is displayed.

[0275] After closing the screen, the apparatus returns to the screen in FIG. 19 so as to select another image.

[0276] If the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data are not added to the instrumentation image in the determination processing in step S113, the data on the instrumentation environment suitable to the image is manually selected so that the apparatus enters the standby mode of the instrumentation. Then, in step S123, the routine program shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B in executed.

[0277] That is, in step S201, the user selects the use of the appropriate calibration data which has already been registered, the use of the calibration data which is recorded to another recording medium, or the end of the instrumentation.

[0278] If selecting the appropriate calibration data which has already been registered, in step S203, the list of the calibration data registered in the instrumentation environment database is displayed. In step S204, the user selects the appropriate calibration data. Subsequently, in step S205, it is determined whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment is added to the image. If the information on the instrumentation environment is added, in determination processing in step S206, it is determined whether or not the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment recorded to the image file match the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment of the calibration data selected by the user. If matching in step S206, the processing routine proceeds to step S209.

[0279] If the contents of the information in the image file does not match the contents of the information of the selected calibration data in step S206, a fact that the selected calibration data is unavailable and the processing routine returns to step S201 whereupon another calibration data is selected.

[0280] If the information on the instrumentation environment is not added to the image in step S205, the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment in the selected calibration data is confirmed by the user and the processing routine proceeds to step S209.

[0281] In step S209, the data on the instrumentation environment is formed by using the calibration data selected from the list and the stereo instrumentation processing is executed.

[0282] If the data from the database is not used and the calibration data recorded to another recording medium is used in step S201, the recording medium to which the calibration data is recorded is inserted into the PC. Then, in step S212 in FIG. 23B, the list of the calibration data in the PC is displayed.

[0283] After selecting the appropriate calibration data from the list by the user, it is determined whether or not the calibration data selected in the determination processing in step S214 corresponds to the present software. If the selected calibration data in step S214 corresponds to the present software, it is determined in step S215 whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment is recorded to the image. If the information on the instrumentation environment is recorded to the image, in determination processing in step S217, it is determined whether or not the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment recorded to the image file corresponds to the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment of the calibration data selected by the user. If the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment recorded to the image file matches the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment of the selected calibration data in step S217, the processing routine proceeds to step S219.

[0284] If the information on the instrumentation environment is not recorded to the image in step S215, the user confirms the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment in the selected calibration data again and the processing routine proceeds to step S219.

[0285] The calibration data and information on the instrumentation environment selected in step S219 are registered to the database, the data on the instrumentation environment is formed by using the calibration data in step S220, and the stereo instrumentation processing is executed.

[0286] On the other hand, if the calibration data selected in step S214 does not correspond to the present software and if the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment in the image do not match the contents of the information on the instrumentation environment of the selected calibration data in step S217, a fact that the selected calibration data is unavailable is displayed and the processing routine returns to step S201 in FIG. 23A whereupon another calibration data is selected.

[0287] After the processing in step S209 and step S220 is completed, the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data may be recorded to the header to the image file in accordance with the user's desire before executing the stereo instrumentation.

[0288] Further, if the image selected in step S112 in FIG. 22A is not the image for the stereo instrumentation, in determination processing in step S124 in FIG. 22B, it is determined whether or not the image is obtained by the comparison instrumentation by referring to the header of the image. If the image is obtained by the comparison instrumentation, in step S125, the information for correcting the deformation of the optical adaptor recorded to the image is read and the comparison instrumentation processing are executed.

[0289] On the other hand, if the selected image is neither the stereo instrumentation image nor the comparison instrumentation image in the determination processing in step S124, the screen returns to the screen in FIG. 11 on which the instrumentation processing ends and another image is selected. Alternatively, in step S127, the user selects the instrumentation method.

[0290] If the selected instrumentation method is the comparison instrumentation in step S127, the information for correcting the deformation of the initial value is read and the comparison instrumentation processing is executed.

[0291] If the stereo instrumentation is selected in step S127, the processing routine proceeds to step S123 whereupon the program shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B is executed and the appropriate calibration data is selected from the list so as to perform the instrumentation.

[0292] If the image selected in step S11 l is not the image recorded by the instrumentation endoscope apparatus and if the instrumentation ends in step S128, the screen returns to the screen in FIG. 19 and the apparatus enter the standby mode so as to select another image.

[0293] According to the fourth embodiment, as mentioned above, only by selecting the instrumentation image and executing the instrumentation, the correct information necessary for instrumentation is read and the instrumentation environment is set. Thus, the correct instrumentation can be performed not only on the instrumentation endoscope apparatus but also on general PCs.

[0294] Further, only by selecting the instrumentation image and pressing the instrumentation executing menu or the instrumentation button irrespective of the type of instrumentation, the appropriate instrumentation program is executed.

[0295] Furthermore, when performing the instrumentation by using the image with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data and when the information on the instrumentation environment indicating the type of the used device upon photographing the image matches the current setting, the instrumentation is performed by using the current setting. Then, the photographing status of the white image to be photographed for examining the position in the area in the field of view changes due to some reason. The instrumentation precision is decreased due to the change in the information on the positional relationship in accordance therewith.

[0296] According to the fourth embodiment, when the information on the instrumentation environment indicating the type of the used device upon photographing the image matches the current setting, it is confirmed whether or not the positional information in the area in the field of view is changed. Thus, not only the number of cases for decreasing the precision due to the above-mentioned reason is suppressed but also the instrumentation environment is automatically set by using the calibration data which has been registered in the image. Thus, the safety is improved and the preparation for the instrumentation can be performed promptly and easily.

[0297] Since the capacity of the calibration data is several tens Kbytes and the information on the instrumentation environment is several Kbytes in many cases, only the information on the instrumentation environment is recorded to the image so as to reduce one image file.

[0298] Further, when the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data are recorded to a file different from the image file, it is considered that the file of the information on the instrumentation environment and calibration data which have been recorded in association with the image is lost or deleted due to some reason.

[0299] In the conventional instrumentation endoscope system, the re-instrumentation cannot be performed on the apparatus with the above-mentioned image and, alternatively, the setting working of the instrumentation environment until the actual re-instrumentation is complicated.

[0300] On the other hand, according to the fourth embodiment, only by selecting the data on the instrumentation environment from the list thereof which has already been registered and the calibration data which is recorded to easily be set on the PC and the re-instrumentation can promptly be performed.

[0301] Further, since it is confirmed whether or not the data selected from the list matches the image for instrumentation, advantageously, the number of cases in which the instrumentation is performed in the mismatched status is reduced.

[0302] According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to perform the re-instrumentation for the image recorded to the detachable recording medium in the instrumentation endoscope apparatus by setting the instrumentation environment on the PC. In this case, it is possible to prevent the execution of the instrumentation by using the image which is not an image for instrumentation. The user can easily execute the instrumentation corresponding to the correct optical adaptor without paying attention to the type of optical adaptors. Thus, the operability upon re-instrumentation is improved and the examining efficiency can be improved.

[0303] The instrumentation endoscope apparatus corresponds to various instrumentation environment. Further, the data on the instrumentation environment is formed again according to the necessity and, therefore, only the capacity of a set of the data on the instrumentation environment may be ensured in the recording medium (HD) in the PC. Thus, the specification of the HD in the PC is not particularly limited.

[0304] When executing the instrumentation with the instrumentation image with the first type of the calibration data, the instrumentation image can automatically be captured in the managed calibration data. The user can perform the re-instrumentation without recognizing the presence of the calibration data.

[0305] Since only the calibration data can be recorded to the recording medium separately from the instrumentation image or be captured in the PC, the re-instrumentation can be performed by using the image without the calibration data.

[0306] Further, since the re-instrumentation is not necessary on the apparatus in which the image is actually photographed, the recording medium to which the image is recorded is attached to another apparatus and the re-instrumentation can be performed on another apparatus with simple operation.

[0307] Consequently, the statuses of the instrumentation environment in various instrumentation endoscope apparatuses can be read on the single PC. Thus, the instrumentation image can be subjected to easy re-instrumentation on the PC which is conveniently used by the examiner. In addition, a plurality of examiners can easily share the image or the data on the instrumentation result by using a network system of the computer. The examining environment can exceedingly be improved.

[0308] That is, according to the fourth embodiment, the instrumentation image is captured to the PC together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data. A proper image is selected from a plurality of stored images and the stereo instrumentation function is executed. Thereby, the instrumentation environment is automatically set from the information on the instrumentation environment and calibration data which are recorded to the instrumentation image. Promptly, the instrumentation processing can be executed on the PC. In this case, the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data added to the image are automatically copied to the database of the calibration data and are managed separately from the image.

[0309] The instrumentation environment apparatus comprises means for searching the same calibration data which has already been managed in the PC by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment which is recorded to the instrumentation image and means for automatically changing the instrumentation environment by using the data as the search result. Thus, when executing the instrumentation by using the image without the calibration data for reason of the capacity of the medium for recording the image, if there is the data on the instrumentation environment as the same instrumentation information as the selected image in the instrument endoscope apparatus, the data on the instrumentation environment is automatically formed from the calibration data which has already existed. The instrumentation processing can be executed by using the formed data.

[0310] Further, the instrumentation endoscope apparatus comprises means for determining the setting of the instrumentation environment matches that of the current instrumentation environment by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment which has been recorded to the instrumentation image. Thus, the instrumentation processing can be performed by using the data on the instrumentation environment which is currently set, without additionally forming the data on the instrumentation environment. The time for preparing the instrumentation can be reduced.

[0311] Furthermore, even if neither the information on the instrumentation environment nor the calibration data is recorded to the instrumentation image for some reason, an instrumentation person can perform the instrumentation working without recognizing whether or not the instrumentation environment of the selected image is recorded because the instrumentation endoscope apparatus comprises means for informing the fact that neither the information nor the data is not recorded. In this case, the list of the calibration data which has already existed in the PC is displayed and the proper calibration data is selected, thus performing the instrumentation.

[0312] In addition to the writing of the image to the recording medium or the capturing of the image from the recording medium, the calibration data in the PC can be copied to the recording medium and the calibration data in the recording medium can be captured in the database in the PC. Therefore, a database in which only the calibration data is independently managed can be structured. Consequently, in the case of the re-instrumentation by using the image without the calibration data and the data on the instrumentation environment, the proper calibration data is captured in the database via the recording medium and the re-instrumentation can easily be performed with the above-mentioned image.

[0313] As mentioned above, in the present invention, it is possible to prevent the instrumentation under the erroneous instrumentation environment in the case of the re-instrumentation using the recorded instrumentation image. Advantageously, by performing the re-instrumentation with the simple operation under the correct instrumentation environment, the re-instrumentation can promptly be performed without recognizing the instrumentation environment and the operability in this case can be improved. Further, advantageously, the instrumentation image recorded on the instrumentation endoscope apparatus is subjected to the re-instrumentation on the PC and thus the working efficiency for examining can be improved. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An instrumentation endoscope apparatus comprising: a connecting portion provided for an endoscope tip portion; an optical adaptor detachable to said connecting portion, for coupling a subject image to image pick-up means; a signal processing unit for processing an image signal from said image pick-up means; recording means for recording an image processed by said signal processing unit; and instrumentation means for performing instrumentation based on said image, wherein said instrumentation endoscope apparatus further comprises: instrumentation environment data recording means for recording first data on an instrumentation environment as a pair of the image recorded by said recording means; comparing means for comparing said first data on the instrumentation environment with second data on the instrumentation environment which has already been recorded to said apparatus; and selecting means for selecting said first data on the instrumentation environment or said second data on the instrumentation environment in accordance with information from said comparing means.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: forming means for forming said first data on the instrumentation environment from information on the instrumentation environment and calibration data.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: positional information determining means for determining the amount of positional shift from a predetermined value based on information on a positional relationship to an endoscope, wherein said calibration data includes said information on the positional relationship.
 4. An instrumentation endoscope apparatus comprising: a connecting portion provided for an endoscope tip portion; a plurality of types of optical adaptors detachable to said connecting portion, for coupling a subject image to image pick-up means; processing for instrumentation of an image signal from said image pick-up means by imaging processing by connecting one of said optical adaptors; means for storing and managing a plurality of pieces of data on the instrumentation environment which are formed by setting an instrumentation environment by using said plurality of optical adaptors; means for displaying said plurality of pieces of the data on the instrumentation environment; means for selecting the data on the instrumentation environment from said display means and performing instrumentation processing; means for recording the instrumentation image to a detachable recording medium; and means for selecting the instrumentation image which has already been recorded and executing the instrumentation processing, wherein said instrumentation endoscope apparatus further comprises: means for recording information on the instrumentation environment indicating the type of a used device upon photographing s subject to the instrumentation image; means for recording information (calibration data) including optical characteristics of the optical adaptor and the like, necessary for setting the instrumentation environment to the instrumentation image; means for copying to the detachable recording medium, the instrumentation image recorded in said apparatus together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data; means for capturing the image copied to the recording medium in said apparatus together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data; means for searching the same information on the instrumentation environment from data which has already been managed by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment which is recorded to the instrumentation image; means for automatically changing the setting of the instrumentation environment by using the data as said search result; means for automatically setting the instrumentation environment by using the calibration data recorded to the instrumentation image; means for informing a fact that the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data are not recorded to the instrumentation image.
 5. An instrumentation endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: means for storing and managing a plurality of pieces of the calibration data; means for taking out only the calibration data which is recorded to the instrumentation image to said managing means and automatically capturing the calibration data together with the information on the instrumentation environment; means for copying the data selected from the plurality of pieces of the calibration data to the detachable recording medium; means for capturing the calibration data copied to the recording medium to the apparatus; and means for setting the instrumentation environment by using the data selected from the plurality of pieces of the calibration data.
 6. An instrumentation endoscope apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the information on the instrumentation environment is necessary information for being distinguished from the plurality of pieces of the calibration data and is a condition thereof.
 7. An instrumentation endoscope apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the calibration data includes a correction coefficient of the optical characteristics or the device, and is the entire data necessary for forming the data on the instrumentation environment formed by setting the instrumentation environment or the data on the instrumentation environment which is formed by setting the instrumentation environment and which is finally used for instrumentation.
 8. An instrumentation endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data are written to an image file or are recorded to a different file associated with the image file.
 9. An instrumentation apparatus comprising: an endoscope apparatus; a connecting portion provided for a tip portion of said endoscope apparatus; an optical adaptor detachable to said connecting portion, for coupling a subject image to image pick-up means; a signal processing unit for processing an image signal from said image pick-up means; recording means for recording an image processed by said signal processing unit; instrumentation means for performing instrumentation based on the image; first instrumentation environment data recording means for recording first data on an instrumentation environment as a pair of the image recorded by said recording means; second instrumentation environment data recording means for recording second data on the instrumentation environment; comparing means for comparing said first data on the instrumentation environment with said second data on the instrumentation environment which has already been recorded; and selecting means for selecting said first data on the instrumentation environment or said second data on the instrumentation environment in accordance with information from said comparing means.
 10. An instrumentation apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: forming means for forming said first data on the instrumentation environment from the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data.
 11. An instrumentation apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: positional information determining means for determining the amount of shift from a predetermined value based on information on the positional relationship to said endoscope, wherein said calibration data includes said information on the positional relationship.
 12. An instrumentation apparatus comprising: an endoscope apparatus; a connecting portion provided for a tip portion of said endoscope apparatus; a plurality of types of optical adaptors detachable to said connecting portion, for coupling a subject image to image pick-up means; processing for performing instrumentation of an image signal from said image pick-up means by imaging processing by connecting one of said optical adaptors; means for storing and managing a plurality of pieces of data on an instrumentation environment which are formed by setting the instrumentation environment by using said plurality of optical adaptors; means for displaying said plurality of pieces of the data on the instrumentation environment; means for selecting the data on the instrumentation environment from said display means and performing instrumentation processing; means for recording the instrumentation image to a detachable recording medium; means for selecting the instrumentation image which has already been recorded to the recording medium and executing the instrumentation processing; means for recording information on the instrumentation environment indicating the type of a used device upon photographing s subject to the instrumentation image; means for recording information (calibration data) including optical characteristics of the optical adaptor and the like, necessary for setting the instrumentation environment to the instrumentation image; means for copying to the detachable recording medium, the instrumentation image recorded in said apparatus together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data; means for capturing the image copied to the recording medium in said apparatus together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data; means for searching the same information on the instrumentation environment from data which has already been managed in said apparatus by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment which is recorded to the instrumentation image; means for automatically changing the setting of the instrumentation environment by using the data as the search result; means for automatically setting the instrumentation environment by using the calibration data recorded to the instrumentation image, and means for informing a fact that the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data are not recorded to the instrumentation image.
 13. An instrumentation apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: means for storing and managing a plurality of pieces of the calibration data; means for taking out only the calibration data which is recorded to the instrumentation image to said managing means and automatically capturing the calibration data together with the information on the instrumentation environment; means for copying the data selected from the plurality of pieces of the calibration data to the detachable recording medium; means for capturing the calibration data copied to the recording medium to said apparatus; and means for setting the instrumentation environment by using the data selected from the plurality of pieces of calibration data.
 14. An instrumentation apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the information on the instrumentation environment is information necessary for being distinguished from the plurality of pieces of the calibration data and is a condition thereof.
 15. An instrumentation apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the calibration data includes a correction coefficient of the optical characteristics or the device, and is the entire data necessary for forming the data on the instrumentation environment formed by setting the instrumentation environment or the data on the instrumentation environment which is formed by setting the instrumentation environment and which is finally used for instrumentation.
 16. An instrumentation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data are written to an image file or are recorded to a different file associated with the image file.
 17. An instrumentation processing method of a personal computer for capturing an instrumentation image recorded by an instrumentation environment apparatus and copying the captured image, said instrumentation environment apparatus comprising: a connecting portion provided for an endoscope tip portion; an optical adaptors detachable to said connecting portion having an objective lens, for coupling two images to image pick-up means; processing for performing instrumentation of an image signal from said image pick-up means by imaging processing by connecting said optical adaptor; means for recording to an instrumentation image, calibration data including optical characteristics of said optical adaptor and the like, as information necessary for setting the instrumentation environment; and means for copying the instrumentation image recorded in said apparatus to a detachable recording medium together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data, said method comprising: a step of determining whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment matches the current setting of the instrumentation environment by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of automatically setting the instrumentation environment by using the calibration data which is recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of managing a plurality of types of the calibration data taken out from the image in said personal computer; a step of searching the same information on the instrumentation environment from the calibration data which has already been managed in the PC by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment which is recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of automatically forming data on the instrumentation environment which is used upon correcting the deformation of the instrumentation image by using the calibration data as the search result; a step of forming the data on the instrumentation environment by using the data selected from the pieces of the calibration data; a step of coordinate-transforming the instrumentation image by using the data on the instrumentation environment; a step of obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate at an arbitrary point by matching two images based the two coordinate-transformed images; and a step of calculating an instrumentation value such as a desired length from said three-dimensional coordinate.
 18. An instrumentation processing method according to claim 17, further comprising: a step of recording to the instrumentation image, the calibration data and the information on the instrumentation environment including optical characteristics of said optical adaptor or the like, necessary for setting the instrumentation environment; a step of copying the instrumentation image copied to the PC to the detachable recording medium together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data; a step of copying to the detachable recording medium, only the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data which are managed in the personal computer, separately from the image; and a step of capturing the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data copied to the recording medium to the personal computer.
 19. An instrumentation processing method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the information on the instrumentation environment is necessary information for being distinguished from the plurality of pieces of the calibration data and is a condition thereof.
 20. An instrumentation processing method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the calibration data includes a correction coefficient of the optical characteristics or the device, and is the entire data necessary for forming the data on the instrumentation environment formed by setting the instrumentation environment or the data on the instrumentation environment which is formed by setting the instrumentation environment and which is finally used for instrumentation.
 21. An instrumentation processing method according to claim 17, wherein the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data to be recorded to the image are written to an image file or are recorded to a different file associated with the image file.
 22. An instrumentation processing method of a personal computer for capturing an instrumentation image recorded by an instrumentation environment apparatus and copying the captured image, said instrumentation environment apparatus comprising: a connecting portion provided for an endoscope tip portion; an optical adaptors detachable to said connecting portion having an objective lens, for coupling two images to image pick-up means; processing for performing instrumentation of an image signal from said image pick-up means by imaging processing by connecting said optical adaptor; means for recording to an instrumentation image, calibration data including optical characteristics of said optical adaptor or the like, as information necessary for setting the instrumentation environment; and means for copying the instrumentation image recorded in said apparatus to a detachable recording medium together with the information on the instrumentation environment and the calibration data, said method comprising: a step of determining whether or not the information on the instrumentation environment matches the current setting of the instrumentation environment by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of automatically setting the instrumentation environment by using the calibration data which is recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of informing a fact that neither the information on the instrumentation environment nor the calibration data is recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of managing a plurality of types of the calibration data taken out from the image in said personal computer; a step of searching the same information on the instrumentation environment from the calibration data which has already been managed in the PC by referring to the information on the instrumentation environment which is recorded to the instrumentation image; a step of automatically forming the data on the instrumentation environment which is used upon correcting the deformation of the instrumentation image by using the calibration data as the search result; a step of forming the data on the instrumentation environment by using the data selected from pieces of the calibration data; a step of coordinate-transforming the instrumentation image by using the data on the instrumentation environment; a step of obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate at an arbitrary point by matching two images based the two coordinate-transformed images; and a step of calculating an instrumentation value such as a desired length from said three-dimensional coordinate. 